lain Robert is surely amongst the most fearless men on earth. Known as "the French Spiderman" or "the Human Spider," Robert has scaled some of the world's most iconic structures — from the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower to the tallest building in the world, the 2,716.5-foot Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai.
Climbing solo, at dawn, usually without the use of tools or safety ropes, he was originally seen as a menace by the authorities, with officers of the law often poised to arrest him as he reached the summit.
Nowadays, he is famed around the world. His 2008 autobiography, "With Bare Hands," tells of his battle to overcome illness and injury in search of the world's most incredible climbs, and he has been the subject of numerous documentaries, including 1998's "The Wall Crawler."
In Search Of Incredible spoke to this legendary daredevil, now 49 years old but with his passion for climbing undimmed.
What first sparked your fascination for climbing?
The very first time was at my parents' home. I had been out, but I had left my key in my bedroom, and I had to get back into the building. I thought, I'll climb in — why not? It represented something a bit like an adventure, you had to be courageous. It became a way of expressing myself.
Do you use any equipment at all?
The only thing I usually use is a pair of climbing shoes, and a little chalk. That is the two things I have been using over the last 30 years.
How does it feel to stand at the summit of a skyscraper?
It's great. Usually before a climb I will be afraid, because I don't know exactly about the outcome. During the ascent I will be fully concentrated on the target. Once I am at the top, the feeling is like being reborn.
Do you do it for the sense of achievement?
I don't really think much about the achievement. Climbing brings me a lot, but it's kind of difficult to explain. I don't really care if I am climbing the highest building. The ascent is very interesting to me. Buildings vary a lot, they are always made differently, and that is always a challenge. I loved climbing the Sears Tower in Chicago – that was a tough one, vertical all the way from bottom to top.
Climbing solo, at dawn, usually without the use of tools or safety ropes, he was originally seen as a menace by the authorities, with officers of the law often poised to arrest him as he reached the summit.
Nowadays, he is famed around the world. His 2008 autobiography, "With Bare Hands," tells of his battle to overcome illness and injury in search of the world's most incredible climbs, and he has been the subject of numerous documentaries, including 1998's "The Wall Crawler."
In Search Of Incredible spoke to this legendary daredevil, now 49 years old but with his passion for climbing undimmed.
What first sparked your fascination for climbing?
The very first time was at my parents' home. I had been out, but I had left my key in my bedroom, and I had to get back into the building. I thought, I'll climb in — why not? It represented something a bit like an adventure, you had to be courageous. It became a way of expressing myself.
Do you use any equipment at all?
The only thing I usually use is a pair of climbing shoes, and a little chalk. That is the two things I have been using over the last 30 years.
How does it feel to stand at the summit of a skyscraper?
It's great. Usually before a climb I will be afraid, because I don't know exactly about the outcome. During the ascent I will be fully concentrated on the target. Once I am at the top, the feeling is like being reborn.
Do you do it for the sense of achievement?
I don't really think much about the achievement. Climbing brings me a lot, but it's kind of difficult to explain. I don't really care if I am climbing the highest building. The ascent is very interesting to me. Buildings vary a lot, they are always made differently, and that is always a challenge. I loved climbing the Sears Tower in Chicago – that was a tough one, vertical all the way from bottom to top.
Emmanuel Aguirre/Getty Images
What's the most incredible view on Earth?
I think climbing the Petronas Towers, in Kuala Lumpur. At the top, there was a spire, another 80 meters (262 feet), and, of course, I was questioning myself — would I be capable? I got to the top and I was completely alone — it was a great feeling. When I climbed the Sears Tower, there were 16 cops at the top waiting to handcuff me, so I didn’t really have time to appreciate it.
Is the anti-authority aspect part of the thrill?
Oh, yes. I love it for that. The only thing is, nowadays, there are more and more people asking me to climb. A lot of the time it is official. I miss climbing illegally, because there is a real spirit of freedom. But it is not over — next year I will be climbing illegally again.
Who do you admire?
They are more like people that have done big things in their life, like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi. Not so much climbers!
Are you afraid of death?
Yes and no. Like any human being I am afraid to die. But we are born, we die — this is the process. I do not want to waste my time on Earth because I am scared to die. I want to live the way I want to live. It is dangerous, but at least I enjoy myself.
I think climbing the Petronas Towers, in Kuala Lumpur. At the top, there was a spire, another 80 meters (262 feet), and, of course, I was questioning myself — would I be capable? I got to the top and I was completely alone — it was a great feeling. When I climbed the Sears Tower, there were 16 cops at the top waiting to handcuff me, so I didn’t really have time to appreciate it.
Is the anti-authority aspect part of the thrill?
Oh, yes. I love it for that. The only thing is, nowadays, there are more and more people asking me to climb. A lot of the time it is official. I miss climbing illegally, because there is a real spirit of freedom. But it is not over — next year I will be climbing illegally again.
Who do you admire?
They are more like people that have done big things in their life, like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi. Not so much climbers!
Are you afraid of death?
Yes and no. Like any human being I am afraid to die. But we are born, we die — this is the process. I do not want to waste my time on Earth because I am scared to die. I want to live the way I want to live. It is dangerous, but at least I enjoy myself.
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